February 9, 2017   =========

☆  opinion  意見

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Recently, with all the world political news going on, a lot of people get confused about the difference between an opinion and a fact. An opinion is a belief or view, or thought about something. Whereas a fact is anything that is done or happens and can be proved. Here are some examples to show the difference:

Today is Thursday. (Fact)
Today is Thursday, and Mark always sleeps in on Thursdays, so that is why he is late for work. (Opinion about why Mark is late to work today.)

My son had a temperature of 39 degrees this morning. (Fact)
My son had a temperature of 39 degrees this morning, but he’s not sick, he’s just growing taller. (Opinion about the reason for the fever – a growth spurt, not a virus.)

Sometimes it is really hard to tell if it is a fact or an opinion though. However, if the word used is a descriptive word, then you know that it is subjective and so it is the person’s opinion. For example, “Obama was the most eloquent speaker of all the US Presidents.” If you know the word “eloquent” is an adjective, a descriptive word, then you know that it is an opinion, not a fact. The person speaking considers Obama to be the most eloquent speaker. Many people might agree, but that doesn’t make it a fact, it’s still just an opinion stated to look like a fact.

Bye,

Chris